Rating: 
Summary: The closer in time, the less objective.
Review: Alexander has written a nice overview of some of military history's best generals. His overall thesis was certainly proven well, and he chose those generals who best proved his point. I particularly liked the chapters on Hannibal/Scipio, Genghis Khan, Sherman, and Rommel. This work could have been a five star book; however, his chapter on MacArthur was where the book lost me. Militarily speaking Alexander continued as he had throughout the book, but his political overview of the Communist threat was almost as ridiculous as was Toland's in 'In Mortal Combat', which dealt with Korea. Hence I do concur with one of the other individuals who reviewed this work that his objectivity is lacking in his more modern chapters. Nonetheless, save for the last chapter, this was a good overview for someone starting to learn about miliraty history and strategy, or it is a nice refresher.
Rating:
Summary: The closer in time, the less objective.
Review: Alexander has written a nice overview of some of military history's best generals. His overall thesis was certainly proven well, and he chose those generals who best proved his point. I particularly liked the chapters on Hannibal/Scipio, Genghis Khan, Sherman, and Rommel. This work could have been a five star book; however, his chapter on MacArthur was where the book lost me. Militarily speaking Alexander continued as he had throughout the book, but his political overview of the Communist threat was almost as ridiculous as was Toland's in 'In Mortal Combat', which dealt with Korea. Hence I do concur with one of the other individuals who reviewed this work that his objectivity is lacking in his more modern chapters. Nonetheless, save for the last chapter, this was a good overview for someone starting to learn about miliraty history and strategy, or it is a nice refresher.
Rating:
Summary: Good survey of successful commanders- past and present
Review: Bevin Alexander's book is an easy read, and he does a solid job supporting his theses about why certain General's were very successful. I doubt that anyone will agree with everyone of his selections of Generals and campaigns, but this book can serve as a good starting point for discussions about strategic planning for success in warfare. I had some problems with the authors selections (of course who are the great generals throughout the ages is a matter of opinion), and some of the overall conclusions in certain campaigns. For example, Mr. Alexander states that Lincoln would not have won re-elction unless Sherman captured Atlanta before the election without fully supporting the argument. Instead, he simply states this opinion as fact. Also, the maps were a little lacking at times. I agree with a previous reviewer that more detail on the maps would have helped. Despite these shortcomings, I recommend this book for any military history bookgroup looking a book to generate discussion about military strategy, or anyone looking for a nice addition to their military history library.
Rating:
Summary: Good survey of successful commanders- past and present
Review: Bevin Alexander's book is an easy read, and he does a solid job supporting his theses about why certain General's were very successful. I doubt that anyone will agree with everyone of his selections of Generals and campaigns, but this book can serve as a good starting point for discussions about strategic planning for success in warfare. I had some problems with the authors selections (of course who are the great generals throughout the ages is a matter of opinion), and some of the overall conclusions in certain campaigns. For example, Mr. Alexander states that Lincoln would not have won re-elction unless Sherman captured Atlanta before the election without fully supporting the argument. Instead, he simply states this opinion as fact. Also, the maps were a little lacking at times. I agree with a previous reviewer that more detail on the maps would have helped. Despite these shortcomings, I recommend this book for any military history bookgroup looking a book to generate discussion about military strategy, or anyone looking for a nice addition to their military history library.
Rating: 
Summary: Great redefined
Review: Bevin Alexander's book may redefine the meaning of "great" commander for some of its readers. A lot of readers are in the same classroom as I when it comes to military history. I grew up accepting that the generals presented to me in history class were the best because my betters said they were. Especially,when it came to the Civil War. They don't cast bronzes of incompetents, right? Maybe, maybe not, but Mr. Alexander did a convincing job explaining why some of history's spotlights are on the wrong statues. A lack of military history won't prevent anyone from reading and enjoying his book. He will set the stage for each adventure and allow the reader to be swept along by the likes of Hannibal, Lawrence of Arabia and Erwin Rommel without loosing him. These stories are real, first class, adventures and that's how Mr. Alexander's book comes across.
Rating:
Summary: Great redefined
Review: Bevin Alexander's book may redefine the meaning of "great" commander for some of its readers. A lot of readers are in the same classroom as I when it comes to military history. I grew up accepting that the generals presented to me in history class were the best because my betters said they were. Especially,when it came to the Civil War. They don't cast bronzes of incompetents, right? Maybe, maybe not, but Mr. Alexander did a convincing job explaining why some of history's spotlights are on the wrong statues. A lack of military history won't prevent anyone from reading and enjoying his book. He will set the stage for each adventure and allow the reader to be swept along by the likes of Hannibal, Lawrence of Arabia and Erwin Rommel without loosing him. These stories are real, first class, adventures and that's how Mr. Alexander's book comes across.
Rating:
Summary: Good, but could have easily been better
Review: The choice of Generals to review did span much of recorded history, but huge chunks of history were missed. The first third of the book covers only 3 generals in all of recorded history up to 1800. Then the rest of the book (disporportionaly) covers the last 200 years. The review of campaigns was interesting, but some maps showed the flow of battles and others seemed to just be filler. The final two chapters on Rommel and MacArthur were done in too much detail. It became a deluge of unit identifiers and was hard to follow. All the recounts prior to these last two included not just historical review of engagement, but included analysis of what made the generals great -- not the last two recounts. I completely missed why reviewing and repreatedly reminding the reader of MacArthur's grand failure made him a great General? Finally, why were no naval and aviation generals included? Perhaps the book should have been "How Some Great Generals Won Some Ground Wars".
Rating: 
Summary: Enjoyable Beginning Book for Military Strategy and History
Review: This book takes the reader through time and history as the author describes why certain generals won, or lost their wars. In particular, the author tries to show how certain techniques or tactics used from Ancient Rome to Genghis Khan to Napoleon are still applicable today in the modern world. Indeed, when these tactics are not used, in Korean for example, the author reveals how he feels the generals have let down their men; and their country. As a primer, this book is good. The author has a good grasp on basic tactics and very interesting facts about history. For example, when fighting armies who have elephants, the Romans had bells with them which they would shake, scarring the beasts and making them useless for the battle. As I said, overall this book, as a basic guide, is very good. It is not for those who have a solid background in this area already. For me, though, it was very interesting. I particularlly like the earlier chapters. In my view, as the booked came closer to present times, the author's emotions and personal feelings made him less objective. This took away somewhat, from his conclusions but, overall, the book was still a fun read.
Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable Beginning Book for Military Strategy and History
Review: This book takes the reader through time and history as the author describes why certain generals won, or lost their wars. In particular, the author tries to show how certain techniques or tactics used from Ancient Rome to Genghis Khan to Napoleon are still applicable today in the modern world. Indeed, when these tactics are not used, in Korean for example, the author reveals how he feels the generals have let down their men; and their country. As a primer, this book is good. The author has a good grasp on basic tactics and very interesting facts about history. For example, when fighting armies who have elephants, the Romans had bells with them which they would shake, scarring the beasts and making them useless for the battle. As I said, overall this book, as a basic guide, is very good. It is not for those who have a solid background in this area already. For me, though, it was very interesting. I particularlly like the earlier chapters. In my view, as the booked came closer to present times, the author's emotions and personal feelings made him less objective. This took away somewhat, from his conclusions but, overall, the book was still a fun read.
Rating: 
Summary: Rehash of a great
Review: This is a superbly written book by my favorite military history writer. Alexander writes in a very readable style. Additionally, the maps and charts are easy to understand and complement each chapter. Of particular note are the chapters on Hannibal and then Scipio Africanus (the Roman General who beat him) and Lee (or how General Lee should have fought the Battle of Gettysburg).
|
